4:15 P.M. UPDATE:
Three people suffered serious injuries in a two-vehicle accident at 10:13 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of County Road 600S and U.S. 31.
Capt. Dave Steinkoenig said the accident occurred when a 1994 Ford dually truck driven by Dallas Johnson, 37, Columbus, had some sort of brake malfunction as Johnson was traveling west on County Road 600S. That malfunction caused him to not be able to stop at the stop sign at U.S. 31 where he was t-boned on the driver’s side by a 2009 Chrysler 300 traveling north at highway speed on U.S. 31, Steinkoenig said.
The Chrysler was driven by Robert Toppe, 71, Commiskey, who had a passenger, Willadean Toppe, 72, Commiskey, Steinkoenig said.
Johnson was extricated from his truck by Columbus Township firefighters and taken by IU Health Lifeline helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital. Robert and Willadean Toppe were extricated from their vehicle by Columbus Fire Department Squad 2 and were taken to Columbus Regional Hospital by ambulance, Steinkoenig said.
An initial call about the accident indicated a semi had been involved in the accident, but that was not true, Steinkoenig said. The semi driver was traveling behind the Toppe car, and was not involved in the accident, although the semi driver provided details about the accident.
11 a.m. UPDATE:
First responders at the scene say the accident involved three vehicles, a semi, a passenger car and a pick-up type truck. Two of the drivers suffered severe injures.
Two of the drivers, one in the passenger car and one in the truck, were extricated from their vehicles.
The driver of the pickup truck was airlifted by Lifeline. The driver of the passenger car was transported by ambulance.
10:30 a.m. UPDATE:
Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies now say U.S. 31 is remaining open and the crash is on County Road 600S, with vehicles in a nearby cornfield. However, motorists are still asked to avoid the area if possible.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies have closed the intersection of U.S. 31 and County Road 600S for a two-vehicle head-on collision involving a semi and a vehicle.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
